National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

The National Gallery of Australia in Canberra stands as the country鈥檚 premier visual arts institution, offering visitors a rich encounter with creativity from Australia and around the world. Established in 1982, the gallery was built to house the national art collection, which has since grown into one of the most significant in the Southern Hemisphere. Its striking modernist architecture, designed by Colin Madigan, makes the building itself a landmark, set against the backdrop of landscaped sculpture gardens along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

Inside, the gallery鈥檚 vast holdings showcase more than 155,000 works across multiple disciplines. Visitors can explore Australian art in depth, from colonial landscapes and contemporary pieces to an outstanding collection of Indigenous art, widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive in existence. Equally impressive are the international holdings, which include notable works of European, Asian, and American art, ensuring that guests experience a wide-reaching perspective on visual culture.

One of the gallery鈥檚 most celebrated spaces is its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection, featuring vibrant bark paintings, dot paintings, and sculptures that reflect ancient traditions and modern expressions. Beyond this, highlights include works by masters such as Jackson Pollock, Claude Monet, and Andy Warhol, offering a global dialogue between traditions and movements. Temporary exhibitions, often drawn from prestigious institutions worldwide, keep the program dynamic and engaging.

The outdoor sculpture garden provides another dimension, with iconic works displayed among native plantings, creating a contemplative atmosphere. Whether for its permanent collection, international exhibitions, or architectural setting, the National Gallery of Australia offers a compelling destination for art lovers and casual visitors alike.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Canberra. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: National Gallery of Australia
Sight Location: Canberra, Australia (See walking tours in Canberra)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Canberra Downtown Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Canberra, Australia

Create Your Own Walk in Canberra

Creating your own self-guided walk in Canberra is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Canberra Downtown Walking Tour

Australia鈥檚 capital, Canberra, is jokingly nicknamed the "Bush Capital鈥� for the abundance of forested and natural reserve lands around. What's now the Australian Capital Territory previously has been inhabited by Aboriginal people for more than 20,000 years.

The name "Canberra" originates from the Aboriginal Australian language and means a "meeting place".... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

Canberra Civic Center Walking Tour

Civic Centre, often simply called Civic, lies at the heart of Canberra, Australia's purpose-built capital. This central district is not only a hub for shopping and dining but also a significant cultural and historical site. At its core, lie an array of landmarks that tell the story of the city's past and vibrant present.

Starting with the Australian War Memorial, located at the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

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